Marcia Griffiths to mentor DRS finalist Renecia Bernard, endorses Akeen Fennell
Contestants to face off on ‘Digicel Rising Stars’ finale on Sunday
Published:Saturday | October 5, 2024 | 12:07 AMKenrick Morgan / Gleaner Writer
After appearing as a guest judge on last week’s Digicel Rising Stars (DRS) episode, reggae icon Marcia Griffiths announced she will be working very closely with finalist Renecia Bernard. In an interview with The Gleaner, Griffiths explained she sees great potential in Bernard, but her talent and skill need some polishing.
“I really love her and her talent. She is young and green and has a future ahead of her, but I want to be a good advisor for her. I personally want to take her to a good producer who will help really take her to the next level,” Griffiths said, adding, “She has great potential – she has the natural talent, but, with a little grooming, she could be great.”
Bernard is expected to face off against Akeen Fennell on Sunday, October 6 for the top spot in the popular local singing competition. Griffiths shared she expects the utmost best from both performers but admits her top pick has always been Akeen.
“I have been watching from day one, and, from the first time I saw Akeen, he was my top pick. I stopped watching for a while because of travelling and working all over the place, but to come back and see he is still here fills me with so much joy,” the singer said.
To get the stamp of approval from a legend in the music space is a big deal, and, according to Akeen, he still can’t get over it.
“Bwoi to get that big-up from Auntie Marcia was an amazing feeling. Fi know seh a di big bad Marcia Griffiths supporting me? I just wanted to melt on that stage, but I had to keep my composure,” Fennell told The Gleaner.
“It was truly an honour, and gave me that little boost I really needed,” he added.
Griffiths says she is fond of both finalists but picking who she thinks will come out on top is no easy decision. “With everything that has happened so far this season, it is hard to say who will win. But, one thing is for sure, the talent is immeasurable,”
Marcia Griffiths has been touted by many music critics and fans alike as the ‘queen of reggae’. On November 3, the Dreamland singer will commemorate her 60th anniversary in music with a concert titled ‘Marcia Griffiths & Friends’, at Hope Botanical Gardens in St Andrew.
“That is something that fans cannot miss. The fans are the ones responsible for allowing me to see a long journey of 60 years in music. So I want the true Marcia Griffiths fans to come out and do the journey all over with me again,” Griffiths said.